2016 BIRDIE RIESLING Gouais Blanc - Sparkman Cellars Q4 2017 Portfoli… · 2016 BIRDIE RIESLING...
Transcript of 2016 BIRDIE RIESLING Gouais Blanc - Sparkman Cellars Q4 2017 Portfoli… · 2016 BIRDIE RIESLING...
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2016BIRDIERIESLING
RieslingisanaturalderivativeofGouaisBlanc,anesotericFrenchgrapethatisgrandmothertomanywellknownwinesincludingChardonnay,
Riesling,PetitVerdot,CheninBlancandMuscatel.Crazyhuh?AnditkicksassinWashingtonstate.Almostcompletelydry,witharomasandflavorsofcitrusblossoms,cleancrispapple,peachandAsianpear,honeysuckleandginger,Birdiefinisheswiththemineralityofcrushedrocks.Delicious
now,butageworthyaswell.
#7onWineEnthusiast’sTop100(2013)94WineEnthusiast(2013)
Grapes100%RieslingVineyardsBacchus,Dionysus,OlsenAppellationColumbiaValleyAging100%stainlesssteeltankAlcohol/TA/pH13.0%/0.69/3.09RS0.4g/100mLCases602$18
FOUNDERSNOTES:BirdiewasthebrainchildofourwinemakerLinnScottduringhisfirstharvestatthehelmin2012.Namedafterourseniorfamilypet,aremarkableoldcat,the2013Birdie wasawarded94pointsandtherankof#7wineintheworldin2014byWineEnthusiast.ItiscraftedtoresembleclassicAlsatianstyledryRieslings.OurgotoforsushiandThanksgiving.Oursuspicionisthatitwillagebeautifullyforupwardsoftwentyyears.
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2016PEARLSAUVIGNONBLANC
AromasofMeyerlemon,sweetgrass,hotsidewalkaftersummerrain.CrispandcleanwithnotesofCrenshawmelon,greenapple,sweetgrass,mineralandfreshherbs.Pearlwaspressedwholecluster,agedonleesinstainlesssteelandneutralbarrelsandwasstirredweeklyforsixmonths.
Sleek,firmandelegant.
91WineEnthusiast(2012)
Grapes100%SauvignonBlancVineyardOasisAppellationYakimaValleyAging50%stainlesssteelAlcohol/TA/pH13.5%/0.52/3.36Cases606$22
FOUNDERSNOTES:PearlwasKelly'sfirstsolowineproject,spawnedin2009fromherloveofNewZealandsauvignonblancs.PearlwasnamedinhonorofKelly'sgreatgrandmotherwhodrovearoundinapearlCadillacconvertibleanddrankwhiskey.Thestyleisatoncemineralandfruitdriven,asifSancerreandNewZealandmadeasauvignonblancbaby.The2011scoreda92fromWineEnthusiast.
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2015APPARITIONROUSSANNEBLEND
OurRoussannedrivenblend,Apparition,attacksthenosewithexoticAsianspices,parafinandalmondextractandlayersofnectarine,honeyandpeachylychee,finishingwitharichyetcleanminerallycreaminess.Therichnessofthevintagecertainlypropelledwhatisperhapsthemost
hedonisticexpressionofthiswinetodate.
91WineEnthusiast(2013)
Grapes60%Roussanne20%GrenacheBlanc20%MarsanneVineyardsOlsen,BousheyAppellationYakimaValleyAgingAllneutralFrenchoak,4mos.Alcohol/TA/pH13.9%/0.47/3.87Cases224$24
FOUNDERSNOTES:Apparition wasbornasagifttoourwineclubin2011,a100%Roussanne raisedinneutraloakwithnomalolacticfermentation.TheintentionwastoemulatethegreatwhitewinesoftheRhôneValleybyproducingafocused,mineraldriven,yettexturedandageworthy beauty.Aswithmanyofourwines,Apparition wasnamedforsomething thatwashappeninginourfamilyatthetime.HarryPotterwasbigatthattime.Stillis.
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2015LUMIÈRECHARDONNAY
SourcedfromacoolersiteintheFrenchmanHillsontheRoyalSlope,Lumièreiscraftedusingwildyeastfermentations,weeklybattonage,andspecialcooperage.Withanosepackedwithpassionfruit,nectarineand
honeysucklebalancedagainstrichflavorsoflemon,fig,hazelnutandpiecrust,thischardonnayisdelicatelythreadedwithitstrademark
mineralitytocreateanelegant,well-balancedversionfromtheripe2015vintage.
90WineEnthusiast(2014)
Grapes100%ChardonnayClonesDijon75,95,WenteVineyardStillwaterCreekAppellationColumbiaValleyAging38%newFrenchoak,8mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.0%/0.51/3.72Cases596$32
FOUNDERSNOTES:Ah,Lumière.Welovecrisp,cleanchardonnayproducedincoolersitesandagedwithjudiciousoakinflence,suchaswe'veenjoyedfromproducersinvillagessuchasChassagne MontrachetandfromCaliforniaproducerslikeStonyHill.Lumière isourattempttodeliverthatkindofchardonnayexperience.BestenjoyedwithlittlepiecesofDungenesscraballoveryourfaceandlemonbutterdrippingoffyourchin.Firstproducedin2005,theoldervintagesaredrinkingbeautifullystill.
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2015enlightenmentCHARDONNAY
OldvineOlsenEstatechardonnay,extendedbarrelagingandfullthrottle,yetbalancedrichnessarethedefiningfeaturesofthe2015
enlightenment.Lemonoilexplodesonthenose,followedbyhintsofhoneyandseashore,andavoluptuous,silkytexturethatdelivers
minerals,bakedapplepieandmarzipan,withatouchoftoastyvanilla.Preparetoseeclearly,forawhile.
91WineEnthusiast(2012)
90WineSpectator(2011&2014)
Grapes100%ChardonnayCloneprobablyWenteVineyardsOlsenEstateAppellationYakimaValleyAging75%newFrenchoakAlcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.49/3.84Cases88$50
FOUNDERSNOTES:enlightenmentwasaresponsetosomeofourfollowers'suggestionthatwemakearicher,extendedbarrelagedchardonnaybasedmoreonthelate1990sCaliforniaversionofchardonnay.Cougarjuiceithasbeencalled.Fullthrottle,unapologeticallybutteryandoaky,enlightenment,firstproducedin2011fromoldvines,takesmoretimeandismorecostlytoproduce.Withscoresof90and91fromWineSpectatorandWineEnthusiast,itwouldseemthatwemayhavehitthemark.
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2014KINDREDCHARDONNAYRichandfull-bodied,withripelayersoffig,apricotandmelonshadedbyroastedhazelnutflavors.Intense,vibrantandlivelywithasupple,creamy
texture.Longandpersistentonthefinish.
Grapes100%ChardonnayClonesDijon75,95,WenteVineyardsOasis,Olsen,StillwaterCreekAppellationColumbiaValleyAging27%newFrenchoak,8mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.56Cases334$18
FOUNDERSNOTES:Fromouroverdeliverytier,KindredChardonnayisproducedfromthechardonnaylotsthatcascadeoutoftheothertwochardonnayprograms.Extendedbarrelagingisalmostcounterintuitiveinanentrylevelwine,butourintentionhereistocelebratebeingabletodropsomekillerjuiceforagreatpricewhileprovidingabroaderproductionmatrixthatgivesourotherwinesevenmorechoicesfordevelopment.
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2016thisoldporchrosé
Thecolorofsandstone,the2016thisoldporchisframedbybrightacidityandloadedwitharomasofstonefruitandroses.Bonedrywithflavorsof
whitenectarines,pinkgrapefruit,guavaandwildstrawberries.Ridiculouslyversatilewithamyriadoffoodpairings.Orallaloneona
quietporch.
Grapes50%Malbec,50%CabernetSauvignonVineyardsKlipsun,Dionysus,Kiona,Obelisco,OlsenAppellationColumbiaValleyAgingAllneutralFrenchoak,4mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.0%/0.60/3.29Cases225$18
FOUNDERSNOTES:thisoldporchisasongthatRobertEarlKeenandLyleLovettwrotetogetherincollegeatTexasA&M.Alsoagreatplacetodrinkrosé.Oursisbonedry,fulloffloers andlusciousredfruitflavors.It'snotfromProvence,butisverymuchintendedtodrinklikeitis.In 2009wedecidedtostoppouringbeautifulsaignée downthedrainandinsteadmakeoneof,ifnotthe,mostversatilewinesinpourportfolio.
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2014L’AUTREPINOTNOIROurblockoflovelyPinotNoirfromTemperanceHillVineyarddeliversa
vibrant,restrained,ageworthystyle.Forestfloor,funky,crushedraspberry,cranberry,Asianspice,cinnamongoodness.WesuspectthatonceitreachesmiddleageittoowillactlikeaproperBurgundyinsome
ways.InourbroadramblingportfolioitisclearlyTheOther.
90WineEnthusiast(2011)
Grapes100%PinotNoirClone777VineyardTemperanceHillAppellationWillametteValleyAging33%newFrenchoak,16mos.Alcohol/TA/pH13.0%/0.60/3.43Cases133$38
FOUNDERSNOTES:In2009wewereabletosourcesomelovelypinotnoirfromTemperanceHillVineyard(thanksDai)intheWillametteValleytomakeL'Autre.Mostlybecausewelovepinotnoir,especiallyfromBurgundy,andthisplayslikethat,producingelegant,nuanced,ageworthy,earthy,hauntingwinesthatmakeushappy.Severelylimitedeachvintage.WecalleditL'Autre andoutfitteditwitharedlabelbecauseitistrulyanoutlierfromanotherstateandanotherstateofmind.
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2015WONDERLANDGRENACHE
MadHatter:“HaveIgonemad?”
Alice:“I’mafraidso.You’reentirelybonkers.ButI’lltellyouasecret.Allthebestpeopleare.”
Ah,sweetmadness.WonderlandGrenacheiskindacrazy:threevery
differentblocksinthreeverydifferentvineyards,allfermentedwithathirdwholecluster,whichdeliverripearomasandflavorsofanise,blackolivetapenade,citrusrindpeel,raspberry,mushroomandcinnamon.So
goodnowandpoisedforevenmoreinsanelydeliciouscomplexitytoopenovertime.
92WineEnthusiast,Editor’sChoice(2013)
Grapes88%Grenache12%SyrahVineyardsBoushey,Olsen,SagemoorAppellationYakimaValleyAging19%newFrenchoak,13mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.3%/0.44/4.05Cases391$32
FOUNDERSNOTES:Wonderland wasfirstproducedin2010asawineclubonlylimitedrelease.Aswecametounderstandthateveryonelovesgrenache (eveniftheydon'tyetrealizeit),wedecidedtomakethisavailabletoabroaderaudience.Certainlyoneofthemostversatileofourredwinesintermsofculinaryapplications,WonderlandwasnamedatourfamilydinnertableduringaperiodwhenthegirlswerebothpartofatheatreproductionofAliceinWonderland.Seemedjustright.
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2014DARKNESSSYRAHOnceagainWillyWonkaandhissquadofOompaLoompashaskickedouta
ridiculouslydeelishversionofDarkness.It'saninky,deepmonsterofathingwithtonsofblackberry,blackolive,blackpepperandscorched
(black)earth.Brightaciditybalancesalltheheftyrichnessnicely,allowingitsbeautifulpurityandfinetannintoshinethrough.GoldenTicketanyone?
94WineAdvocate
Grapes100%SyrahClonesPhelpsVineyardsBoushey&OlsenEstateAppellationYakimaValleyAging40%newFrenchoakAlcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.86Cases322$62
FOUNDERSNOTES:Darkness isourfullthrottle,wideopendesertedislandsyrah fromtheYakimaValley.DickBoushey andLeifOlsenarearguablyamond thefinestsyrah growersinouruniversetoday.Wedecidedtomakethiswinein2005andhaveneverlookedback.Ithasgobsofhighscoresfrommanypublications,includinga94fromRobertParker'sWineAdvocateforthe2014.It'scalledDarkness because.
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2013RUCKUSSYRAHItispossiblethatRuckuscouldbemistakenforawineproducedinCôte
RôtieorHermitage.Possessedofadense,saturated,inkbottlehue,aromasofblackberries,crèmedecassis,smokeygame,graphiteandGeorgia
asphaltonasummerdayroarfromtheglass.Massivelyembodiedwithgreatintensity,amazingfreshnessandextraordinaryconcentration,the
multi-layeredpalatedisplayslovelyfruitpuritywovenaroundastructurethatshouldallowittoagegracefullyformany,manyyears.
90WineAdvocate
94WineEnthusiast(2012)92WineSpectator(2012)
Grapes92%Syrah,8%ViognierClonesTablasCreek,SaraLeeVineyardsCielduCheval,BousheyAppellationRedMountainAging33%newFrenchoak,16mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.70Cases421$52
FOUNDERSNOTES:Onceuponatimetherewasasyrah calledStellaMae.Asdemandforsyrah begantotaperoffabit,wedecidedinourthirdvintagetoalignourgirls'winesoneithersideoftheGironde,eventhoughitisnowherenearWoodinville.So,in2006,wemadeRuckus,ourRedMountainsyrah withatouchofcabernetsauvignoninit.Ittastedgreat,wediditagain,andlowandbeholdthe2008scored94atWineSpectatorandourbusinesschangedfromtinyunknowntotinyalmostunknown,fromtwostatesofdistributiontotwelve,almostovernight.Aswithallourwinesthiswillageforeons.Ruckus wasouraptlynamedsweetfamilycatwhoonedayjustnevercamehome.Wemisshimso.
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2014UNTAMEDSYRAHUntamedisbeautifulSyrahfromyounger,north-facingblocks(Olsen
Vineyard),ourhighestsyrahvineyard(Boushey)andouronlysyrahblockontheWahlukeSlope(CliftonHill).Powerfulandrich,offeringaromasofcandiedorangepeel,violets,fineherbs,olivetapenade,whitepepperand
blackberryjamrockin’ontosilky,dense,darklayersofgoodness.
Grapes100%SyrahClones877,470,JosephPhelpsVineyardsBoushey,Olsen,CliftonHillAppellationColumbiaValleyAging34%newFrenchoak,16mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.57/3.90Cases273$32
FOUNDERSNOTES:Untamedwascreatedin2010forourwineclub,andwasbroughtbackin2014toworkasaplaceforthebarrelsthatcascadeddownfromtheDarknessandRuckusprotocols.Itwasenvisionedasanearlyreleaseofferingfromouroverdeliverytier.
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2013RUBYLEIGHMERLOTBLEND
Hardtobelievethisisthe10thanniversaryofRubyLeighthewine,andthatitsnamesakeis10yearsold.Graceful,powerful,exhilarating,
entertaining,surprising,complete.Andthewineisthatwaytoo,withaheartofmerlot,thevioletsofcabernetfranc,cabernetsauvignonandits
blackcherryandsilkyblueberryfrommalbec.AclassicallystyledrightbankBordeauxblend,RubyLeighbalancesmuscleandflowers,rich
supplefruitandsavoryearthiness,expressedinaromasandflavorsofcassis,mocha,graphite,herbsandsubtlesweetoak.Thoughtherehave
beenmanylovelyones,the2013maybeourfavoriteyet.
92WineEnthusiast,Editor’sChoice(2012)
Grapes56%Merlot,22%CabernetFranc,11%Malbec,11%CabernetSauvignonVineyardsKlipsun,Kiona,Olsen,Obelisco,DionysusAppellationColumbiaValleyAging56%newFrenchAlcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.53/3.74Cases217$52
FOUNDERSNOTES:RubyLeighisanextraordinaryyounglady,giftedofmanyartisticandconceptualtalents.Hersisaspiritfromthewildplacesinthecosmos,restlessandsearchingforlightandexperience.Andtheclassicrightbankblendweproduceinhernameain't badeither.OneoftheThreeOriginalWines,ithas,sinceitsinceptionin2004,beendrivenbymerlotandcabernetfranc,supportedbymalbecandcabernetsauvignon.Likeourdaughter,eachvintageofRubyLeighisaclassic,lovelyandvibrantinitsyouthandundoubtedlyastoundinginitsevolution.Foundalmostexclusivelyatthewinery.Meaning,youhavetocomethroughustogetit.
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2013STELLAMAECABERNETSAUVIGNONBLEND
StellaMae,inits10thincarnationasawine,and12thyearasahumanisspecialforitspurity,complexityandloveliness(amongotherthingsthat
noteenageboyisgoingtogettoknowaboutanytimesoon,byGod).Bingcherries,cedar,graphite,sweetvanillabean,andsavoryherbesdeProvenceareallpartofthestoryinthebottle.Aclassiccabernet
sauvignondrivenleftbankBordeauxblend,characterizedbyitsbalance,depth,sheerdeliciousnessandhappinessgivingcapacity.
93WineEnthusiast,CellarSelection(2012)
92Wine&Spirits(2012)
Grapes67%CabernetSauvignon,11%Merlot,11%CabernetFranc,11%PetitVerdotVineyardsKlipsun,Obelisco,Olsen,DionysusAppellationColumbiaValleyAging56%newFrenchAlcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.57/3.85Cases213$52
FOUNDERSNOTES:StellaMaeisourfirstcollaborativecreationandoursecretgenius,covertlymoldingourfamilythroughdeepreflectionandathirstforknowledge.Whichispower.Likehereponymousleftbankblend.Asyrah forthe2004and2005vintages,StellaMaebecameacabernetsauvignonfocusedclassicBordeauxblendin2006,aswesoughttoalignthegirls'winesinthenameofpeaceandharmonyatthekitchentable.Likeourdaughter,eachvintageofStellaMaeisaclassic,lovelyandvibrantinitsyouthandundoubtedlyastoundinginitsevolution.Foundalmostexclusivelyatthewinery.
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2014EVERMORECABERNETSAUVIGNON
FromsomeoftheoldestvinesinWashingtonStateatDionysusVineyard,EvermoreperfectlyinterlacestheoldworldearthinessofFrenchcabernet
sauvignonwiththefruit,powerandmuscleofnewworldcab.Sweetlyperfumed,withcedar,sage,mocha,cassis,andblackberryexplodingonthenose.Theappearanceisclassicclaret:abeautifulgarnetgem,with
elegantlayersonthesilkypalateoffineherbs,blackcherry,blackcurrant,cigarbox,pencilshavingsandcrushedstone.Builtforaverylonglife,but
lovelynow.
94WineAdvocate(2013)
Grapes100%CabernetSauvignonVineyardDionysusAppellationColumbiaValleyAging100%newFrenchoak,22mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.79Cases144$100
FOUNDERSNOTES:Iftheymade100%cabernetsauvignoninPauillac,itmighttastealotlikeEvermore.In2012wejoinedtheSagemoor Farmsfamily,sourcingfruitfrombothBacchusandDionysusVineyards.WeimaginedtheBlock16Acabernetsauvignon,plantedin1972,makingitoneofWashingtonState'soldestblocks,tobeafineadditiontoourportfolio,perhapsasablendingcomponenttooneof ourexistingcabs.However,thereweresixbarrelsthatstoodoutandwedecidedtobottlethosetogetherandlaunchEvermore,ourOldVinescabernetsauvignon.The2013receiveda94pointscorefromRobertParker'sWineAdvocate.
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2013KINGPINCABERNETSAUVIGNON
CabernetsauvignonfromKlipsunVineyardoldvinesRedMountainandatouchofhighelevationOlsenVineyardpetitverdotgiveKingpinits
characteristicdepth,powerandgrace.Explosivearomasofblackcurrants,blackberry,blackcherry,blackplum,violets,cigarboxandcedarleadtoa
palatialvolcanoofmoltenchocolatecoveredblackfruit,cinnamonandfracturedrock.Madetodevelopandendurehandsomelyfordecades.
91+WineAdvocate(2012)90WineSpectator(2013)90WineAdvocate(2013)
Grapes94%CabernetSauvignon6%PetitVerdot
VineyardsKlipsun,OlsenAppellationRedMountain
Aging76%newFrenchoak,22mos.
Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.55/3.82Cases403$62
FOUNDERSNOTES:Launchedin2006,Kingpin celebratestherawpowerandintensityofRedMountains's iconicKlipsun Vineyard.Over theyearstherehavebeensomeminorvariations,butingeneralthisisKlipsun cabernetsauvignonandadashofOlsenpetitverdot.Althoughwehavenodefinitiveconclusiononitsultimatelifespanduetothefactthatwehaveonlymadeitfor10yearsorsoandhave noneevenbeginningtotire,wesuspectthisisawinethatcanbeenjoyedforatleast30yearsifnotmanymore.
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2014RAINMAKERCABERNETSAUVIGNONBroadshoulderedandchewy,withdeepblackcurrantandspice
flavorsrollingacrossalayerofdustytannins.Layersofblackcherry,figandplumwithnotesofgreenolive,licoriceandvanilla,makingit
rainonthelong,agilefinish.
94Wine&Spirits(2013)93WineSpectator(2013)
Grapes89%CabernetSauvignon,11%Malbec
VineyardsOlsen,Klipsun,KionaAppellationYakimaValley
Aging100%newFrenchoak,22mos.
Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.53/3.81Cases201$62
FOUNDERSNOTES:Rainmakerbeganlifeasawineclubofferingin2010.Ithasevolvedtobecomeourmostfruitforwardcabernetsauvignon,blendedwithmalbec.TheYakimaValleyisthesourceforallthefruitinthiscuvée,mostoftenitisfromOlsen'sextraordinaryvineyardsjustwestofRedMountain.WenamedthiswineRainmaker duringaconversationaboutwhat itmeanstoberunningabusinesswithChris'sDad.Wepouredthe93point2013atWineSpectator'sNewYorkWineExperiencein2017.WewereataboothbetweenChateauxMargaux,LynchBages andMoutonRothchild.Andwebelongedthere.
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2015HOLLERCABERNETSAUVIGNONPhantasmagoria:redblackbluefruitchocolatesflowersspicestextures,
depthbreadth.Velvetstonesmokecinnamonkelpplaydoughgripsupplerichminerals.Stupid.Smart.Tasty.
93WineSpectator(2014)94WineSpectator(2013)
#21onWineSpectatorTop100Wines(2013)
Grapes79%CabernetSauvignon,9%Merlot,4%Malbec,4%PetitVerdot,3%CabernetFranc,1%SyrahVineyardsOlsen27%,Dionysus24%,Obelisco13%,Klipsun11%,Kiona10%,Oasis6%,Boushey6%,Upland3%AppellationColumbiaValleyAging30%newoak:68%Frenchand32%American.18months.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.84Cases2012$32
FOUNDERSNOTES:Firstproducedin2012,Holler isnamedforRedHollow,theplacewhereChris'sparentsliveinKnoxville,Tennessee.Thetheorybehindthewineissimple:oncethebarrelsforKingpin,RainmakerandEvermoreareselected,theremainingbarrels(plussomeotherBordeauxvarietals)becomeHoller.Thesebarrelsaregoodenoughtobecomethe#21wineintheworldonWineSpectator's2016Top100.Thiswineheadsouroverdeliverytier,havingreceiveda94pointscoreforthe2013.Tastesgreattoo.
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2015YONDERCABERNETFRANC
Yonderdeliverswithhintsoftea,roses,petrichor,woodsmokeandcharcoalwaftingupfromthecoreofdenseyetsupplemilkchocolate,red
currant,figandblackraspberrypreserves,offeringasimultaneouslyloamyandcreamymouthfeel.
Wayoveryonder,that'swhereI'mbound.
CaroleKing
92Wine&Spirits(2012)91WineEnthusiast(2012)
Grapes88%CabernetFranc12%CabernetSauvignonVineyardsKiona,Olsen,KlipsunAppellationYakimaValleyAging38%newFrenchoak,19mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.91Cases183$42
FOUNDERSNOTES:Inthemiddleofthe2012harvestourGMBryanKeay toldusweneededtomakeacabfrancbecauseeverybodywantedusto.Itwasfrankly,thefarthestthingfrommymind.WaywayoverYonder.So,theresponsive,customercenteredcompanythatweare,wetalkedtolotsofoursupportersandaskedthemwhatwinetheywantedthatwedidn'talreadymake.Wehad18atthatpoint.They allsaid"CabFranc!"Sowemade125casesanditsoldoutinthreehours.GoodcallBryan.
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2014UNDERWORLDPETITVERDOTOntheattackUnderworldisdarkandbrooding,withseamlessrichness,
withviolets,blackberries,vanillabean,smokeandpencilshavingseruptingfromthenose,followedbylayersoftar,blackplum,black
raspberry,darkchocolate,andAsianspices.Tinyberriesstruggledonaverysteepslopetodeliverthisveryrarewine.
92WineEnthusiast,Editor’sChoice(2012)
Grapes100%PetitVerdotVineyardOlsenEstateAppellationYakimaValleyAging50%newFrenchoak,20mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.3%/0.52/3.76Cases114$48
FOUNDERSNOTES:Underworldwasnamedfortheplacethatpetitverdot holdsinanumberofourwines.Sorta sitsunderneathotherleadingvarietalsinabeautifullysupportingrole.Justatinybitofaddsacidity,color,andflowers.Inits100%varietalbottling,Underworldshowstheuniquepowerandintensityofthistinydarkberry.ThefruithascomefromOlsenVineyardeachyearsinceitsinceptionin2010.
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2015PREPOSTEROUSMALBEC
Intense,freshandconcentrated,showingrich,vibrantblackberrytart,plumandwildcherryflavors,withvioletnotes.Pureandminerally,withwhitepepperandcitrusoilaccentsonthefinish.Richlytextured,with
goodgripandloooooongfinish.The2010isstillthehighestscoredWashingtonStateMalbec.Ever.
92WineSpectator(2014)93WineEnthusiast(2012)94WineSpectator(2010)
Grapes84%Malbec,16%SyrahVineyardsKlipsun,Angela’sAppellationRedMountainAging17%newFrenchoak,14mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.59/3.93Cases291$38
FOUNDERSNOTES:Preposterous waslaunchedin2009,acompleteshotinthedark.Malbecisastrangethin-skinnedontheoutside,neongreeneyeballontheinsidekindofgrapethatgoesblackinthefermenterondaythreeofthefermentation.Kindofodd.Doesn'tlike alotofnewwoodorextendedbarrelaging.Tonsofdensejammy fruitupfront.Playswellwithalittlesyrah.TheWineSpectator94point2010vintageisstillthehighestscoringmalbec inWashingtonStatehistory.Preposterous.
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2015OUTLAWMERLOTScrewSideways.Merlotisbeautiful.EverheardofChateauPetrus?Firm,
tautlayersofdenseblackberry,blackfigandblackcurrantjamrollthrough,pushedbynotesofiron,charcoalandspearmint.Chocolateganachehintsfillinonthefinish.Bass-driven,withaseriousknotof
tanninsthathaveyettostretchout,butthecoreoffruitisspoton.Waitforit.
Grapes80%Merlot,20%CabernetSauvignonVineyardsObelisco,Oasis,Olsen,KionaAppellationYakimaValleyAging60%newFrenchoak,14mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.61Cases121$52
FOUNDERSNOTES:OneoftheThreeOriginalWines,Outlaw wasasinglebarrelofmerlotfromHedgesVineyardin2004.ThewinewasmadetohonorKelly'sDadwhosuggestedthatwestartafamilybusinesswhenwefoundoutweweregoingtobeparents.Outlaw isnotnecessarilyproducedineveryvintage,havingbeenreleasedfrom2004-2007,2009,and2014-2015.Becausemerlotisdelicious,wethinktheproducersofthemovieSidewayscangotohell.
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2014RINGOFFIREPETITESIRAH
Funky,smoky,dusty,stonyonapproachwithhintsofmulberry,blackberryandbaconfat,thisyear’spetitesirahisonceagainshowy,
deep,darkandbrooding,gracedwithamplefinesseandbalance.EverseeMuhammedAliinhisprime?Firmsilkytanninsframesweetvanillalaced
blackfruits,releasingamonsterofpowerandrichnessloadedwithblueberries,blackplums,pepperandspices.
92WineEnthusiast,Editor’sChoice(2012)
91WineSpectator(2012)
Grapes100%PetiteSirahVineyardsOlsen,KionaAppellationYakimaValleyAging62%newAmerican/Frenchoak,puncheonandbarrique,14mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.57/3.65Cases124$48
FOUNDERSNOTES:Anotherwineclubexclusive,ourRingofFirepetitesirah issaturatedblackspicey richness.Thetheoryhereisthatpetitesirahmakesourwildernessjustthatmuchmore,well,wild.AndthatwithtwodifferentblocksinOlsenVineyardintheYakimaValleyandKiona VineyardonRedMountain,wehavefivebarrelsthatmakeamightyfinevarietaldurif,AKApetitesirah.Thefirstvintage,the2012scored92fromWineEnthusiast.
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2014RINGOFFIRETOURIGANAÇIONAL
WeareblownawaybyhowextrytastyTourigaNaçionalgrowninWashingtonStatecanbe.AseriouslylimitedspecialofferingforourRing
ofFireWineClubmemberssourcedfromUplandEstateVineyardonSnipesMountain,thiscomplex,supplebeautywasagedinAmericanand
Frenchoak.Aromasandflavorsofviolets,cocoa,blackberry,tobacco,roastedherbsandvanillaarewellbalancedandextendoveralongfinish.Thiswinewilldevelopmorecomplexityoverthenexttwodecadesbutis
righttastynow.
90WineEnthusiast(2012)
Grapes100%TourigaNaçionalVineyardUplandEstateAppellationYakimaValleyAging20%newAmericanoak,20%newFrenchoak,14mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.54/3.89Cases118$48
FOUNDERSNOTES:WestartedtinkeringwithPortuguesevarietalsin2010inordertoproduceafortifieddessertwine,primarilyforwinemakerdinners.By2012weexperimentedwithadryRingofFiretouriga naçional forourwineclub.Bam.Sogoodwedidagainin2014and2015.Allkindsofearthyricharomaticgoodness.
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2014RINGOFFIRESOUZÃO
Thisbeautifulblockoffruitstunneduswhenwevisiteditearlyinharvest.Perfectlybalanced,itjustgotbetterastheseasonwenton.TheintensityofcolorandflavorprettymuchmadeourfirstSouzão,(aseriouslylimited
specialofferingforourRingofFireWineClubmembers)inevitable.SourcedfromUplandEstateVineyardonSnipesMountain,thisinky
monsterissilkenearth,jammyblackness,flowers,herbs,thinklavender,andakissofvanillasmoke.Weexpectthiswinetogrowintoitselfover
thenextcoupleyearsanddeliverdeliciousnessformany.
SeriouslyLimitedProduction.
Grapes80%Souzão20%PetiteSirahVineyardsUpland,OlsenAppellationYakimaValleyAging40%newFrenchandAmericanoakpuncheon,15mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.61/3.63Cases104$48
FOUNDERSNOTES:WestartedtinkeringwithPortuguesevarietalsin2010inordertoproduceafortifieddessertwine,primarilyforwinemakerdinners.By2012weexperimentedwithadryRingofFiretouriga naçional forourwineclub.In2014wemadeaRingOfFiresouzāo.Inkysilkylovely.
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2015RINGOFFIRESANGIOVESEOurfirsteverSuperTuscanblenderuptsonthenosewithflowers
(jasmine),flowers(honeysuckle),flowers(violets)andflowers(roses!),leadingtoflavorsandaromasofsandalwood,campfiresmoke,bing
cherries,orangepeelandcrushedrock.PressedwithLaTraviatablaringandpastaonthetable.Prettydamngoodidea.
SeriouslyLimitedProduction.
Grapes80%Sangiovese,15%CabernetSauvignon,5%CabernetFrancVineyardsBoushey,Dionysus,OlsenAppellationYakimaValleyAging25%newFrenchoak,14mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.61/3.74Cases100$48
FOUNDERSNOTES:Ourfirstextry Tuscanwasproducedin2015asawineclubexclusive.TheBrunellocloneofsangiovese wassourcedfromBoushey VineyardintheYakimaValley.Oncethefermentationwasdryweloadedthepress,turnedLaTraviata uptoeleven,bustedupsomelasagne andBrunellodiMontalcino andletElvisthePressdotherest.Lovelyredfruitandflowersflowersflowers.
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2015KINDREDBORDEAUXBLENDAnavalancheofblackberry,boysenberryanddarkchocolatewith
exceptionaldriveandfocus.Withafinegraphitespinedrivingthroughthecedaryfloralfinish.Supple,richlytexturedbutstilllightonitsfeet,
the2015KindredshowsthebeautyofWashingtonmalbecassupportedbyatouchofcabernetsauvignon,merlotandsyrah.
89WineEnthusiast(2012)89WineSpectator(2012)
Grapes51%Malbec19%CabernetSauvignon19%Merlot,11%SyrahVineyardsCliftonHill,Dionysus,Kiona,Oasis,Obelisco,Olsen,UplandAppellationColumbiaValleyAging25%newFrenchoak,13mos.Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.53/3.76Cases1012$25
FOUNDERSNOTES:Kindred wasfirstproducedin2008inresponsetotheglobalimplosionofmerlotfollowingSidewaysandGeorgeW.Bush'sRecession.WeputbeautifulmerlotandsomeotherBordeauxvarietalstogetherinabottleandsolditfor$20sowecouldstayalive.Sorta worked.Yearslater,in2012,webroughtitback,drivenbymalbec andframedwithcabernetsauvignonandmerlot,inanefforttohelpbetterdefinetheBordeauxandRhônesidesofourportfolio.Thebanjoplayinggrumpyguyand familyontheoriginallabelareKelly'smaternalGreatGrandparentsandtheirtribe.Thenewlabel,launchedforthe2015vintagefeatures animageofa275year-oldoaktreeinMcMinnville,Tennessee,whereChris'sDadwasborn.ItremainsalovelykindredwinetothefirstcabinBordeauxwines.
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2015WILDERNESSREDRHÔNEBLEND
Makeupyourowndamndescription.
91ptsWineEnthusiast(2013)
Grapes62%Syrah11%Grenache,7%PetiteSirah,
14%Tempranillo,
5%Souzāo,1%TourigaNaçional
VineyardsBoushey,CliftonHill,Oasis,Olsen,Uplands,CielduCheval
VineyardsAppellationColumbiaValley
Aging14%newFrenchoak,andAmericanBarriques&Puncheons.
Alcohol/TA/pH14.5%/0.53/4.02Cases1743$25
FOUNDERSNOTES:In2005,onanicycliffintheHorseHeavenHillswithonlybuzzardsandcoyotesaroundtowatch,wedrovewithseveralbarrelsofwhatwouldbecomeanewredblend,Wilderness.Atributetoourbackgroundsinwildlifepreservationandenvironmentalpolicywork,wechosetomakethiswineaneverevolving,everchangingexperimentandchallengetoourassumptionsofwhatgrapesplaybesttogether.Typicallyproducedwithacoreofsyrah andotherRhônevarietals,ithasneverthelessincludedseeminglynon-dance-partner-likevarietalssuchascabernetsauvignon,malbec,mourvèdre,tempranillo,sangiovese,petitverdot,petitesirah andprobablyafewwehavesinceforgotten.
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2015HALLELUJAHPORT
PortuguesevarietalsTourigaNacionalandSouzãofromUplandsEstateonSnipesMountainwerefermentedto7brix,andthenthefermentation
wasarrestedwith164proofgrapedistillate.Itwasthenagedfor22monthsin25%newFrenchoak.Almostimpenetrablyblackincolor,with
greatbalanceandlength,Hallelujahishedonistic,balanced,richandnuanced.Thenoseisloadedwithorangeliqueur,raisins,exoticflowersandcedarleadingtosilkyflavorsoflicorice,blackberry,cherry,caramel,
cinnamon,bittersweetchocolateandtobacco.Enjoyforthenext100yearsorso.
Grapes50%TourigaNacional,50%SouzãoVineyardUplandsEstateAppellationYakimaValleyAging25%newFrenchoak,22mos.Alcohol/TA/pH19.75%/0.47/3.97ResidualSugar4.63g/100mLCases146$60
WestartedtinkeringwithPortuguesevarietalsin2010inordertoproduceafortifieddessertwine,primarilyforwinemakerdinners.Halftouriga naçional,halfsouzāo,plus182proofgrapespiritsmakesforsomeprettydeeppowerfulageworthydeliciousness.NamedHallelujah becausethat'showwefeelwhenwe'vehadalovelymulti-coursedinner,aresittingwithafinebuzzandthenwegetservedthatlittlesomethingextraintheformofaport.Hallelujah!